Veterans’ Hall of Fame

Calvert seniors launch military hall of fame

April 30, 2015

Calvert Catholic Schools seniors Rachel Groves and Nicole Fretz presented their senior service project, a Veterans Hall of Fame for Calvert attendees and graduates, during a ceremony Wednesday afternoon. Groves said when she and Fretz started the project, they saw the need for a such a hall of fame, since Calvert had one for athletics and those dedicated to the school. Since last November, Fretz said they have been listening to stories.

“After hearing what had gone on, (Groves) and I felt we were doing what was the true definition of a senior project and providing service,” she said. They sought all Calvert graduates or attendees who served in the military so they could be honored in the new digital veterans display. While they hoped to get 20 people, she said they received 76 submissions. Fretz said the submissions are to be shown in a continuous loop on the television in the school’s Madison Street hallway. Groves said speaking with Seneca County Veterans Services Commission Executive Director Mac McAuliffe gave them a new perspective on the need for the project. “He said Seneca County is a county that supports and appreciates their veterans,” she said.

Calvert Catholic Schools Principal and Superintendent Gerald Schoen said the project was student-driven and was necessary to show their support for local veterans. “The Calvert Veterans Hall of Fame will be a constant reminder of the sacrifices that were made to protect the liberty and freedom we enjoy every day,” he said. “(They) will forever be remembered as heroes at Calvert Catholic Schools.”

Ohio Department of Veterans Services Director Tim Gorrell said Ohio is sixth nationwide for the number of veterans who are residents – about 877,000. Gorrell said they swore to protect the citizens and the Constitution by joining the military. “They swore … not to the flag, not to an individual, not to a department,” he said. “It’s to the fabric, the DNA of our country, that everyone swears to protect and defend.”